BCC's Disability Resource Center to Host Free Webinar

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The Berkshire Community College (BCC) Disability Resource Center will hold a free webinar, "There Is No Justice without Disability," with guest speaker Rebecca Cokley on at 2 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 20. 

Cokley, a nationally renowned disability rights activist, will discuss disability justice, the connections between oppressions, how ableism compounds all forms of inequality, and key steps any organization can take to become more inclusive and accessible. Advanced registration is required; to register and receive a Zoom link, visit www.berkshirecc.edu/justice-disability.

Cokley is the program officer for the Ford Foundation’s first-ever U.S. Disability Rights program, which is focused on strengthening the field, building a pipeline of diverse leadership, promoting disability pride, and mobilizing resources toward disability rights work. She also serves as the foundation's liaison to the President’s Council for Disability Inclusion in Philanthropy.

Prior to joining Ford, Cokley was the co-founder and director of the Disability Justice initiative at the Center for American Progress and stewarded a campaign that resulted in 12 presidential candidates developing disability policy platforms. She served as the executive director for the National Council on Disability, where she worked on sexual violence on college campuses, policing reform, and the civil rights of disabled parents.

A three-time presidential appointee, Cokley served in key policy roles at the Department of Education and the Department of Health and Human Services, as well as oversaw diversity and inclusion efforts for the Obama administration. She is a frequent speaker and contributor on issues of public policy and disability inclusion in the media and at major national conferences. Cokley has a bachelor’s degree in politics from the University of California, Santa Cruz. 

Dalton Special Town Meeting Rejects Land Buy for Police Station

By Sabrina DammsiBerkshires Staff
09:29PM / Monday, October 19, 2026

Voters hold up cards to be counted on a vote to cast secret ballots on purchase of land question. Voters rejected the land purchase but authorized buying electronic devices for future voting.  

DALTON, Mass. — A special town meeting on Monday night authorized 11 of 12 warrant articles, only nixing a contentious proposal to buy land for a police station.

 

After nearly an hour of discussion, 113 voters rejected by secret ballot the purchase of land on West Housatonic Street for $69,700.

 

Article 2 needed two-thirds to pass, and failed 65-48, about 10 votes short. 

 

A motion was made by Robert Collins for the article to be voted on by secret ballot to ensure ballot privacy, which was approved by 72-19. 

 

Town officials have been debating options for a new police station for more than year, focusing on several parcels that could host a new building and, more recently, the possibility of a combined fire and police station. These included the West Housatonic site, another on Main street and the vacant Dalton High lot next to the Senior Center. 

 

Resident Adelard Nadeau Jr., who previously served on the Fire District's Prudential Committee, argued that the town is spending money that it does not have. 

 

He advocated for the lot by the Senior Center which he believed to be cheaper and shovel ready.